In the first-of-its-kind deal in the biological molecules space, Mumbai-based Glenmark has purchased two new biological entities (NBEs) from Swiss company Chromos Molecular Systems for an undisclosed sum. The NBEs fall into the category of humanised monoclonal therapeutic antibodies (MABs). Glenmark has purchased all rights of the two products as well as the rights to use Chromos? proprietary ACE System technology for cell line development. According to the agreement, Glenmark holds the worldwide rights for further development, registration and commercialisation of the product. The NBEs are code-named CHR-1103 and CHR-1201.
?Worldwide, 50% of the drugs that are being launched are MABs,? says Glen Saldhana, MD & CEO, Glenmark. ?The advantages of these types of drugs are that they are specific, are in injectable forms and bind to proteins,? he added. ?In these kinds of molecules, the development is very similar to the biological drugs, but the ramp up can be more difficult,? Saldhana said.
He said that the company would treat both its generics and new chemical entity (NCE) business on an equal footing. The generic business is self-sustaining, while the NCE stream can be very profitable. Glenmark has already out-licenced two of its drugs. Its asthma molecule was outlicenced to Forest Labs of the US and Teijin Pharma of Japan, whereas its diabetes molecule was outlicenced to Merck, Germany in return for milestone payments at various phases of the development of the drugs. A third molecule, targeting pain, is undergoing phase 2 clinical trials in Europe.
The company has three other programmes across obesity, inflammation and pain management at the pre-clinical stages.
It is also looking at small-scale acquisitions of the size $10-20 million in Europe, for front-end operations. In the current year, it will rake in $60 million through milestone payments, according to analysts? guidance.